Iniesta addresses Barcelona midfield gem’s comparisons to him – ‘Going to make his own history’

Speaking on Radio MARCA, Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta spoke about midfield gem Pedri being compared to him, insisting that the young Spaniard will carve his own path and make his own history in football.

Ever since he broke into the Barcelona team, Pedri has drawn comparisons with Iniesta, who announced his retirement from professional football earlier this month.

The 21-year-old former Las Palmas wonderkid has always maintained that he saw the Barcelona legend as his idol and the fact that he took the No. 8 shirt at the club has further fuelled the comparisons.

“We always like to make comparisons. It would be good if we saw Pedri as Pedri, not as the new ‘guy‘. He is going to make his own way and his own history. And he’s doing it, he’s doing it very well. The talent he has is brutal, he has to keep growing,” said Iniesta.

The former Spanish international also commented on the success of La Masia, insisting that the credit must also be shared with the coaches who have committed to trusting the academy.

“I would say that recognition or satisfaction for a job well done is not only a job done by the youth academy. It is the work of many years and also the work of the coaches who are committed to it,” remarked Iniesta.

“In previous years Xavi did it and this year Flick is doing it. So we are delighted.”

With his time as an active footballer now over, Iniesta was asked if he intended to follow in the footsteps of his former teammates Xavi and Cesc Fabregas and become a manager.

“I have a relationship with both of them and we have talked to each other. Both of them decided to go down that road,” replied Iniesta.

“We have to rediscover that illusion and challenge for wanting to improve, for wanting to do better. They, well, they already have their baggage. I haven’t even started yet.”